November 26, 2013
Renee S. Merriman

Star Beacon


ASHTABULA — Renee Susanna Merriman, age 67, of Blair Ave., Ashtabula, passed away tragically Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in a house fire.

She was born April 1, 1946, in Ashtabula, Ohio, the daughter of Edmund Waltari and Evelyn (Anderson) Welton and had been an Ashtabula resident most of her life.

Prior to her retirement, she worked as a case worker and pregnancy services coordinator with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. She also enjoyed her work at Sarah Schenks and other retail locations.

Renee was a fun-loving wife, mother, sister, friend, and "Nana" to anyone who came into her life. She adored her family, a fresh cup of coffee and having a good time. Renee had a true gift for cooking, often preparing meals for a dozen people when only a few were actually there to eat. She spent countless hours laughing with and taking care of others. She was able to ease the hurt through her tender love and homemade remedies. She was quick to chase a kid down the street with a wooden spoon and wipe the same child's tears away. Renee claimed to coin the phrase, "Live, Love, Laugh," – and convinced everyone that she did through her spirited and outgoing personality. She is loved a bushel and a peck. She will be missed.

Survivors include her husband and best friend, Samuel H. Merriman Jr. of Ashtabula; her children, Kevin Sheldon of Ashtabula, Tim (Terri) Sheldon of Orlando, Fla., Sean (Jennifer) Sheldon of Ashtabula, Misty (Ono) Achukwu of Marietta, Ga., Kristina (Trent) Gould of Hattiesburg, Miss., and John Sheldon of Cincinnati; grandchildren, Laura, Renee, Kevin, Kyall, Brandi, Joshua, Joseph, Ashley, Elizabeth, Mariah, Timmy, Sarah, Morgan, Kori, Emily, Megan, Ashley, Garrett, Dale, Sean, Elvie, Kiley and Eli; and nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Eddie (Pearl) Waltari of Asotin, Wash., and Terry (Diana) Welton and Tracy (Kelly) Welton, both of Ashtabula; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Andrew David Sheldon; her father and step-mother, Edmund and Lucille Waltari; her mother and step-father, Evelyn (Jack) Welton; her nephew, Dana Waltari; and her beloved dog, "Mika".

Calling Hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29th, at ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula. Due to the tragedy of the house fire, family members are asking loved ones to bring their favorite picture of Renee for her husband, Sam, to share and keep.

Funeral Services will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30th, at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 4901 Main Ave., Ashtabula. Canon David Evans will preside. Burial will be next to her son in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, North Kingsville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 433 Center St., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 or to Homesafe, P.O. Box 702, Ashtabula, Ohio 44005-0702.

ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME, 500 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula, is in charge of arrangements. Obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com.



Daughter of Edmund Walter Waltari (1920-1999) and Evelyn Anderson (b 1924). Granddaughter of Herman Waltari (b 22 July 1879 Finland) and Susanna Aliina Yakku (b 1880 Finland). Herman was the son of John Waltari and Susanna. Aliina was the daughter of Herman Yakku and Susanna Patti.
Granddaughter of Arthur O Anderson (b 1893 OH) and Mary Misczik (b 1894 in Hungary/Slovakia). Granddaughter of John Anderson and Christine Olsen, both of Sweden. Granddaughter of Andy Misczik and Mary Marczinyh.
Herman and Aliina Waltari were the parents of at least 8 children:
1. Lily Annette Waltari (1916-2005) married Harland Koski. She is buried in Saybrook Cemetery.
2. Loren/Lauri M Waltari (1908-1976) married Sylvia J Holso (b 1911, daughter of Jack Holson and Hannah Krook).
3. Larry Waltari was born c 1915.
4. Julia M Waltari (1907-1961) married Harry E Heikkila/Haytcher (1907-1977). He was the son of Joseph Heikkila and Eliza Honmallinen., but later adopted the surname of Haytcher. Julia and Harry's son, Harry L Haytcher (1931-2010) married Donna Sarvary (1933-2012), the daughter of Arthur O Sarvary (1911-1989) and Eva Arlene Furry (1906-1993).
5. Laina A Waltari (1909 OH--1992 OH) married unknown Mr. Greece.
6. Eleada Waltari (b 1917) married Dale F Richards (b 1915, son of E D Richards and Bessie Fields).
7. Edmund Walter Waltari was first married to Evelyn Anderson and then to Lucille Severino (1925 OH--2011 OH), daughter of Lawrence Severino and Irene Passanen. Lucille was first married to Walter Joseph Arlinghaus.
8. Kari Maria Waltari was born 14 Aug 1911 and died 30 May 1913. She is buried in Edgewood Cemetery in Ashtabula.




Given Name: Edmund Middle Name: W Surname: Waltari Name Suffix: Birth Date: 6 May 1920 Social Security Number: 280-12-0063 State: Ohio Last Place of Residence: Ashtabula, Ohio Previous Residence Postal Code: 44004 Event Date: 18 March 1999 Age: 79

1930
Name: Edmund Waltari Titles and Terms: Event Type: Census Event Year: 1930 Event Place: Ashtabula, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States District: 0011 Gender: Male Age: 9 Marital Status: Single Race: White Race (Original): White Relationship to Head of Household: Son Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son Birth Year (Estimated): 1921 Birthplace: Ohio Immigration Year: Father's Birthplace: Finland Mother's Birthplace: Finland Sheet Number and Letter: 14B Household ID: 316 Line Number: 86 Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Affiliate Publication Number: T626 Affiliate Film Number: 1748 GS Film number: 2341482 Digital Folder Number: 004638887 Image Number: 00314 Household Gender Age Birthplace Head Herman Waltari M 50 Finland Wife Aleiina Waltari F 50 Finland Daughter Julia Waltari F 23 Ohio Son Loren Waltari M 22 Ohio Daughter Laina Waltari F 20 Ohio Son Leeve Waltari M 16 Ohio Daughter Lily Waltari F 14 Ohio Daughter Eleada Waltari F 13 Ohio Son Edmund Waltari M 9 Ohio


Name: Edmund W Waltari Titles and Terms: Event Type: Marriage Event Date: 01 Feb 1941 Event Place: Ashtabula, Ohio, United States Age: 20 Birth Date: Birth Year (Estimated): 1921 Birthplace: Father's Name: Herman Waltari Father's Titles and Terms: Mother's Name: Aliina Yakun Mother's Titles and Terms: Spouse's Name: Evelyn V Anderson Spouse's Titles and Terms: Spouse's Age: 17 Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1924 Spouse's Birthplace: Spouse's Father's Name: Arthur Anderson Spouse's Father's Titles and Terms: Spouse's Mother's Name: Mary Mizsik Spouse's Mother's Titles and Terms: Reference ID: GS Film Number: 001183417 Digital Folder Number: 005016806 Image Number: 00408


Name: Edmund Walter Waltari Event Type: Birth Event Date: 06 May 1920 Event Place: Ashtabula, Ashtabula, Ohio Registration Date: Registration Place: Gender: Male Race: Father's Name: Herman Waltari Father's Titles and Terms: Father's Birthplace: Father's Age: Mother's Name: Aliina Yakku Mother's Titles and Terms: Mother's Birthplace: Mother's Age: Additional Relatives: Reference ID: 23656 GS Film number: 2209369 Digital Folder Number: 004022903 Image Number: 00142



Name: Herman Waltari Birth Date: Birthplace: Warsaw, Finland Age: Spouse's Name: Susanna Alena Yakku Spouse's Birth Date: 1879 Spouse's Birthplace: Finland Spouse's Age: 27 Event Date: 12 Mar 1906 Event Place: Ashtabula County, Ohio Father's Name: John Waltari Mother's Name: Susanna Waltari Spouse's Father's Name: Herman Yakku Spouse's Mother's Name: Susanna Patti Race: Marital Status: Single Previous Wife's Name: Spouse's Race: Spouse's Marital Status: Single Spouse's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M00009-7 System Origin: Ohio-VR GS Film number: 0890269 Reference ID: 2:3LDXCG7


Herman Waltari Event Type: Draft Registration Event Date: 1942 Event Place: Ashtabula, Ashtabula, Ohio Gender: Male Birth Date: 22 Jul 1879 Affiliate Publication Title: World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of Ohio Affiliate Publication Number: Affiliate ARC Identifier: 623234 GS Film number: 1512867 Digital Folder Number: 004151111 Image Number: 00140